What Are Reverse Mortgages and What Are Their Benefits?

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As the name suggests, “reverse” mortgages work exactly the opposite from a "regular" mortgage. Instead of you making monthly payments to a lender, the lender pays you. And, generally speaking, you don’t have to repay it for as long as you live in your home. So, what does the lender get out of this bargain? Well, in return, he or she holds part or all of your home's equity.

Reverse Mortgage Advantages 

Home owners who are “house rich, but cash poor” can be beneficiaries of this type of mortgage. It allows them to stay in their homes and still meet their financial obligations. In addition, the proceeds of the loan are tax-free. Also, there are no minimum income requirements, and, for most reverse mortgages, the money can be used for any purpose you choose. 

Reverse Mortgage Disadvantages
Below is a list of the major disadvantages of such loans: 

1.) Reverse mortgages tend to be more costly than traditional loans because they are “rising-debt” loans. This means that the interest is added to the principal loan balance each month. Therefore, the total amount of interest owed increases significantly with time as the interest compounds. 

2.) Reverse mortgages also use up all or some of the equity in a home. This fact means that fewer assets are left for the homeowner and the heirs. 

3.) Lenders generally charge origination fees and closing costs; some charge servicing fees. It’s up to the individual lender as to how much the fees and costs are. 

4.) Interest on reverse mortgages isn't deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole. 

5.) Because you retain title to your home, you remain responsible for taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc. 

6.) Scams are sometimes run by unethical lenders. Never accept a deal with door-to-door/home solicitation lenders. Reputable lenders have no need to go door-to-door in search of loans.

From all the disadvantages listed above, you can see that you need to understand exactly how they work and what responsibilities you’ll take on with such a loan. Below, I’ve provided you with basic knowledge on reverse mortgages so you have a foundation upon which to consider them. 

Types of Reverse Mortgages 

Reverse mortgages have several different forms: 

1.) Federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages("HECM"). These are administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") 

2.) Single-purpose reverse mortgages. These are usually offered by state or local government agencies for a specific reason 

3.) Proprietary reverse mortgages. These are offered by banks, mortgage companies, and other private lenders and backed by the companies that develop them.

Qualifying Factors 

You must be at least 62 years of age and have paid off all or most of your home mortgage. In general, income is not a factor, and no medical tests or medical histories are required. If you seek an HECM, you also must receive free mortgage counseling from an independent government-approved "housing agency." This may also be true of financial institutions offering proprietary reverse mortgages.

Loan Amount 

The mortgage loan amount depends on:

- Your age
- The equity in your home
- The value of your home
- The interest rate

If you choose an HECM, federal law limits the maximum amount that can be paid out. There are several ways in which you can be paid - in a lump sum, through monthly advances, through a line of credit, or a combination of all three. 

Recommendation

As with any mortgage, shop around and compare terms of reverse mortgages. In particular, check: 

1.) Annual percentage rate (APR). This is the yearly cost of credit 

2.) Type of interest rate. Check to see if it’s a fixed rate or an adjustable rate. 

3.) Number of points (fees paid to the lender for the loan) and other closing costs. In some cases, this can be costly so check closely.

4.) Total amount loan cost ("TALC") rates. The TALC rate is the projected annual average cost of a reverse mortgage, including all itemized costs. TALC shows what the single all-inclusive interest rate would be if the lender could charge only interest and no fees or other costs. More about it here!

5.) Payment terms, including acceleration clauses. These terms state when the lender can declare the entire loan due immediately. 

Remember: Under the federal Truth in Lending Act, lenders must disclose these terms and other information before you sign the loan. Also, on plans with adjustable rates, they must provide you with specific information about the variable rate feature. And, on plans with credit lines, they must inform you about appraisal or credit report charges, attorney's fees, or any other costs associated with opening and using the account. Make sure you understand these terms and costs. 

Finally, in most cases, you have at least three business days after signing a reverse mortgage contract to cancel it in writing! Want to learn more about reverse mortgages or any other kind of mortgage? Contact me immediately!

Super Low Interest Rates Make It a Great Real Estate Market for Buyers AND Sellers!

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Of course as a real estate agent, other than “hi, hello and how are you” the next most frequently asked thing we hear is “how’s the market doing these days?” That’s why for today’s video blog I wanted to talk about it.

Interest Rates Continue to Beat All Housing Industry Records

Throughout the past many months there has been one very consistent item of big news that seems to be controlling much of our market – and that is interest rates. Chances are you have already heard that interest rates are at their all time historic lows, making it more affordable than ever before to purchase and own a home. For homeowners with existing mortgages the low rates are facilitating significant savings when the mortgage is refinanced.

Buyers Can Afford A Lot More House for the Same Amount of Money

Another factor that low interest rates brings into play has to do with ‘how much house’ you can afford. What might have cost a monthly payment of $2500 just a few years ago may easily cost just $2000 depending on the property, terms and rates. With this added buying power, buyers are out there eager to lock in the amazing rates still available.

Sellers Enjoying Less Selling Competition on the Market

This is exactly what makes it a great time to sell. With so many buyers seeking the perfect home, particularly at the cusp of our 2012 holiday season, any inventory that is out there is scrutinized and often considered by buyers. Fewer available homes on the market make it very ideal for sellers since buyers want to get in before the holidays. Another phenomenon seen by sellers with show-ready homes that are priced right and in great locations and is one of multiple offers and even bidding wars.

Conditions Expected to Stay the Same for At Least a Few More Months

The news is that the government will hold the base rate down until at least the middle or end of 2013 – if not a bit longer. One school of thought is that the elections may have an adverse effect on our housing market but it is too soon to tell. It is important to note that even if there were a resultant outcome on the housing market from the election, the soonest we would see any of it materialize would be in the springtime of next year.

This is what makes now an excellent time to buy and also an excellent time to sell. Very rarely do we see a favorable market for both sides of the fence but today that is the case and it’s a great opportunity to pursue!
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If you’d like to explore your options in today’s real estate market, whether to list your home or find the perfect new home – I invite you to contact us today! We look forward to making your real estate goals become a reality!

An Inspection Contingency Can Change Everything With a Real Estate Transaction

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If you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, there’s a good chance you have implemented, seen or heard of an inspection contingency. This contingency is almost always offered at the time when a property goes under contract.

The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors cites a specific time frame within which the buyer is allowed to show the property in question to professionals for the sake of inspecting it for defects. If during the inspection process anything is found to be unsatisfactory, defective or questionable, the buyer has a legal right to provide the seller written notice of this fact.

Furthermore, this added step in the home buying/selling process allows the buyer a chance to walk away from the transaction if they are not happy with something. This means they may change their mind if they are not satisfied with the property for any reason as a result of the inspections. The contingency in place allows them to be able to cancel the contract – regardless of the reason. In fact, the buyers do not even have to state a reason for changing their mind.

The Inspection Addendum is drafted on behalf of the buyer and presented to the seller, after which the seller may choose to do one of several things. They may opt to respond to any repairs the buyer may have requested to rectify specific problems. The sellers may choose to offer or accept the buyer’s request for financial concessions and therefore accommodate repairs needed as a result of the inspection. Or the seller may decide to review the terms and choose whether or not to accept them.

As you can see, the settlement period is virtually a second round of negotiations, centered on the findings of professionals hired to check the property in detail for defects or aspects that may be unacceptable to the buyer. Just as the buyer has the right to back out of the deal, so does the seller have the right not to agree to changes proposed by the buyer.

When going through a purchase or sale, it is important to keep in mind the inspection contingency, a very critical part of the contract.

For questions about this, or any other real estate related inquiries you may have – please do not hesitate to contact me today. I would be happy to assist you!

Home Maintenance Does More Than You Think

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For some, the phrase “home maintenance” might sound like a great way to spend a weekend, while to others it might seem like a dreaded, even avoided, task. However you view routine home maintenance, the fact of the matter is that this somewhat simple task, if done consistently, can increase your home’s value over time.

Increased Property Value

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth of a pound of cure.” This is certainly true when it comes to your home. In fact, proactive maintenance is essential to preserving the value of your home. If you ignore this important task, your home could actually lose 10% of its value over time.

There are a number of benefits you can expect from just making sure you home is kept in decent shape with occasional maintenance. For one, your curb appeal is improved by just simple acts of routine upkeep from time to time. Ultimately, your home reflects your attention to detail, or lack thereof.

Neglecting a home can greatly bring down the value of any property. Things like a house with chipped or fading paint, sagging gutters, or worn carpeting leads to a problem when it is time to sell. Not only does the work accumulate over time, so do the costs. A few simple fixes every year can add up to an increased home value over time.

Cost vs. Value

It’s easy to look at the cost of regular home repairs as a burden that might be able to be avoided. However, it is important to look at the value that you are placing in your home by performing the regular costs of upholding a well-built and maintained home.

A study out of the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University suggests that home maintenance can actually increase a home’s value by about 1% each year. Instead of viewing the routine tasks around a home as “chores,” these tasks should be looked at as a money maker. When you sell your home, you will reap their rewards.

Dr. John P. Harding, Professor of Finance and Real Estate at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business and an author of the study said, “It’s like going to the gym. You have to put in the effort to see the results. People and houses are somewhat similar – the older they are, the more work is needed.”

Some years what needs to be down may be more expensive than others, but it is the overall strategy to keep a “fit” home that should be the ultimate goal.

Proactive Maintenance Strategies

Budgeting for home repairs each year will prevent them from seeming like a burden each year. Knowing there will be a certain amount of money going to home repairs and upkeep makes them a regular part of your annual routine. They won’t be a source of financial devastation they can be for many families.

Other things to keep in mind to take the burden out of home maintenance include:

Play offense, not defense. Being proactive is vital in preventing a small problem becoming a mountain of problems. By having a regular inspections and creating a maintenance schedule, you are in control, for the most part, of home expenses, instead of the other way around.

Focus on a room a year. If you home is generally in good order, you may be at a loss of where to start. By targeting a room each year, you can inspect each and every item in that particular room and know where improvements can be made. This prevents an overwhelmed feeling with you looking at your entire house, scratching you head of where to start.

Keep track. Maintain a notebook or computer file to keep track of all of the maintenance and upgrades you perform is important. Also, either keep a physical file of paper receipts or a file on your computer where can put your scanned receipts. This helps you keep track of what you have done and also helps you prove to a potential buyer exactly what you have done to the home. It also shows you are a conscientious homeowner who has paid attention to the details of your home.

Home maintenance is an important task that should not be overlooked. Not only does it maintain a nice home while you live there, it also helps increase your home’s value when you are ready to sell.

For more on home maintenance visit Bob Vila's home maintenance checklist here!

Want to Add Value to Your Home? Get Into the Kitchen and the Bathroom!

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Everyone knows that – all things being equal – the first areas buyers look at when considering the purchase of the home are the kitchen and the bathroom. They know they’re heavily-used areas and also the most expensive to upgrade. So, buyers want to know they’re in great shape or need, at most, minor repairs.

This tells you that you need to make the kitchen and bathroom “shine” in terms of their appeal. By some estimates, you can earn back 80 to 90 percent of your money in resale value!

Here’s more good news! Depending upon the state of these rooms, improvements don’t have to be all that expensive! Let’s look at the kitchen first.

Making Your Kitchen Shine!

The first bit of advice for you actually applies to both the kitchen and the bathroom – use paint! In fact, use high-quality paint. It’s a fact of life that kitchen walls get spattered with grease and food (especially if you have kids!), and bathroom walls get battered with steam and moisture.

So, the first thing to do is to take a look at those walls, clean them, and then paint them. And consider the color carefully. It should be a color that’s relaxing and tends toward a neutral tone.

Once you’ve chosen a color, spend the money on good paint, not the cheap stuff. It’ll look better, and buyers will notice that it’ll resist stains and water for a longer period of time than lower quality paint. It’ll also tell them that you’ve taken good care of your home.

Another inexpensive “fix” you can do yourself is, of course, the faucets over the sink (or the sink itself). A visit to a “big box” store like Home Depot, Menards, etc. will cost you little money. All you have to do is invest some “sweat equity.”

Of course, fresh curtains always spruce up a kitchen as well as orderly counters, islands, etc. And don’t forget lighting! Warm, friendly lighting can make a huge impact upon a buyer’s first impression. 

Another area to look at is the kitchen floor. If it’s worn, I’d recommend that you replace it with a hard-wearing material. Everyone knows the kitchen is a high-traffic area so they’ll look closely at the floor to see if they’ll have to bear the expense of replacing it.

Again, if you have handyman abilities, you can do this yourself. There are many inexpensive materials available today that are relatively easy to put in – high-quality tile, laminate floors that clean up easily, etc. 

In terms of kitchen cabinets and counters, you may want to consider refinishing them or replacing them if they’re in bad shape. This can be rather expensive, of course, but it also might make the difference between a sale and the home staying on the market.

Moving on up in terms of expenditures, buyers today expect modern appliances in the kitchen – stoves, dishwashers, etc.

These are big ticket items, of course, but if your appliances are worn or out-of-date, think about replacing them, especially if you’re having trouble selling your home.

Look for sales on modern higher-end appliances such as the ones available at Sears, etc. Buyers will spot cheap ones in a heartbeat, and this can cost you a sale.

Today’s buyers look for spacious kitchens that open on to another room and which have a window over the sink. Obviously, if your kitchen doesn’t have these features, it would be far too expensive to put them in.

However, you can make your kitchen look as open as possible. Make sure the counters are clear, visible pots and pans are ordered neatly, and the floor is free of clutter.

Okay, now onto the bathroom!

Making Your Bathroom Shine!

If your bathroom is in good to great shape, then it’s a simple matter of paint, as I mentioned before, and a good all-round clean up. Since we’re dealing with sanitary issues, you want this area to sparkle as much as possible.

But, what if the shower, tub, sink, or toilet are not in great shape or are out of date? Well, then, I’d recommend that you do a whole remodel.

It can be expensive, but when you replace, say, just one item, it can create an unharmonious look. Ideally, you want the sinks, faucets, toilets, showerheads, tile, etc. to match to make the bathroom look as unified and appealing as possible.

Depending upon your expertise, you can install these items yourself at a lower cost. If not, hire an expert to do the work, especially if your home has been on the market a long time and isn’t selling.

Okay, here’s one last suggestion. It’s an expensive one but it’s been proven to add value to your home – add a second bathroom!

One-bathroom houses are simply harder to sell and sell for less than ones with two or three bathrooms. 

So, if you have the financial wherewithal, consider adding one. A good place for a second bathroom is right off the master bedroom. This will appeal to buyers with children since they’ll have a space separate from the kids.

Also, if for some reason, you decide not to sell, a second bathroom can make life easier for you if you have children as well!

Want to hear some more suggestions for improving the value of your home? Contact me today and we can talk about some inexpensive methods of doing just that!

Understanding the Difference Between Online Resources and a Realtor When Pricing Your Home

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The Internet can be a great resource for a host of things centered on buying or selling your home but in some cases, the most you can expect to gain is a basic understanding of things.  For something as serious and important as pricing your home to either value it or sell it, relying on the Internet can only go so far.  Here we’ve outlined some key differences between the figures you will yield from online sources versus those that have been compiled by your local Realtor. 

ACCURACY IS VITAL
In today’s market especially, accurately pricing your home to sell is essential.  With it being a buyers’ market, you will have to gain a solid understanding of allfactors that contribute toward your property’s value.  There can be negative repercussions of pricing a home either too low or too high.  One such scenario is if there was a seasoned buyer who had taken the time to research in advance of searching for homes.  That buyer’s knowing what to expect in the local market seeing your overpriced home could result in a turn-off and you could lose the sale.  By the same token, you stand to get the shorter end of the stick in case of not knowing what you could have charged.  Spending a little more time and/or expense can make a huge difference in the end outcome.  


ONLINE TOOLS AND CALCULATORS
There are more than several websites where anyone can log on, put in their zip code and be given an instant “analysis” of their real estate value. The figures that appear as results from searches made through online resources stem from a conglomeration of several weeks and sometimes months of data collected from a particular region.  

Websites such as www.zillow.com,www.realtytrac.com or www.trulia.comoffer a great way to get a generic idea of the value that homes in your region are going for or have gone for recently.  As an added resource to other services also offered on these sites, the goal is not to assist homeowners in assigning a selling price on their property based on the data, rather to offer a snapshot on sales and pricing data for the area.  In fact, for many people it is the perfect tool to add an extra edge when determining the fair market value of your home, along with other factors.  


PROFESSIONAL COMPARABLE MARKET ANALYSIS
While online real estate tools are a great way to get a preliminary idea, they are only going to yield a figure that will show you where to start.  To get an accurate assessment, you will need to avail the professional services of a Realtor.  The only way to get an accurate “reading” of what the market rates are for homes in your vicinity and your neighborhood in particular, is to have a comparative market analysis conducted by a Realtor who understands your neighborhood.  There is a good chance that they have dealt with properties in the area on a first-hand basis, regularly interact with the agencies and organizations that deal with very homes in your neighborhood and are familiar with the people in various facets that you will end up needing to interact with yourself, as the seller of your home. 

Realtors conduct a detailed Comparable Market Analysis (sometimes also called Competitive Market Analysis) through a series of data compilation of area homes and properties, considering factors such as amount of land, the square footage and number of bedrooms or typical amenities in the neighborhood.  But homeowners can also opt to delve into accurate detail about their property’s value by relying on an independent appraiser.  Also, through the use of CMA data the County Tax Assessor determines the value of your property taxes.  
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When you are pricing your home to sell, it is vital that you use all available resources.  At first, it makes sense to “shop around” and get to know the generalities before you head for the specifics.  And as with most transactions dealing with your real estate world, it is always best to rely on your Realtor for quality, effective and accurate information that is relevant to you and YOUR market. 

Cincinnati FHA203K Loan

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Using an FHA 203k loan can help you get the home you want - especially if you are looking at building some fast equity in a 'fixer upper'. Looking for a home that's almost perfect? Check out this loan to get funding for the house and any repairs that is bundled together, and a 203k loan may be easier to get than other home improvement loans. First, I'd like to share an example of how this works. We are closing on a home for a client shortly who is purchasing property for 120,000 dollars. After escrowing approximately 10,500 dollars for cosmetic and deck repairs, their "subject to" appraisal came back at 195,000 dollars! That's 64,000 dollars in equity the minute the Deed is recorded! What an awesome program! You can kill two birds with one loan.

203k Loan Bundling

Using a 203k loan allows you to combine loans for purchase (or refinance) and home improvement. This can reduce closing costs and paperwork; multiple loans mean more closing costs, and temporary loans may have higher interest rates than your 203k loan. You kill two birds with one loan.

Keep in mind that 203k loans require a little more paperwork than some other loans because you have to manage and document improvement projects.

Handle Deal Breakers

You may want to buy a home that's almost perfect. However, serious defects may scare lenders off. If sellers won't fix the problem, you can't buy the house unless you use something like a 203k loan. The lender knows you'll fix serious problems that you've agreed to fix, and they can move forward on the deal.

Temporary Housing

203k loans allow you to set money aside for housing while your repairs are completed. You can continue to pay an existing mortgage, or pay rent for up to six months. You won't have to live with an on-going construction project or come up with two housing payments each month.

Large Loans

Using a 203k loan provides access to large loans. Yes, there are limits, but you can borrow enough to finance 110% of the home's projected value after improvement. 203k loans, like other FHA loans, have low down payment requirements (for better or worse). Because they're guaranteed, the interest rate is competitive.

Improvements that Matter to You

The main benefit of 203k loans is the ability to make the improvements you want. Funding for an addition or updating the kitchen is taken care of up front. You can turn the home into something you want. If you're environmentally conscious, you can even choose green appliances and materials

There are many homes available that with a little TLC could be your dream home. A Cincinnati fixer-upper may also make a great investment, especially if you are able to do some of the labor yourself, or you are a savvy buyer. You are the person that has the vision to take that sad-looking little home on a great lot in a good location and turn it into the most desirable home on the list of Cincinnati homes for sale!

Ask your lender if they offer a 203k loan or contact Sarah Close Associates at Keller Williams and we will put you in touch with ours.